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I.MX 8M Nano Hardware Developer's Guide - NXP ...
NXP Semiconductors             Document identifier: IMX8MNHDG
User's Guide                                   Rev. 1, 11/2020

i.MX 8M Nano Hardware Developer’s Guide
I.MX 8M Nano Hardware Developer's Guide - NXP ...
NXP Semiconductors

Contents
Chapter 1 Overview............................................................................................... 4
       1.1 Device supported.......................................................................................................................4
       1.2 Essential references.................................................................................................................. 4
       1.3 Supplementary references........................................................................................................ 4
       1.4 Related documentation..............................................................................................................5
       1.5 Conventions...............................................................................................................................5
       1.6 Acronyms and abbreviations..................................................................................................... 5

Chapter 2 i.MX 8M Nano design checklist............................................................. 8
       2.1 Design checklist table................................................................................................................8
       2.2 JTAG signal termination.......................................................................................................... 17
       2.3 Signal termination for Boundary-scan..................................................................................... 17

Chapter 3 i.MX 8M Nano layout/routing recommendations................................. 18
       3.1 Introduction..............................................................................................................................18
       3.2 Basic design recommendations...............................................................................................18
       3.3 Stack-up and manufacturing recommendations...................................................................... 18
       3.4 DDR design recommendations................................................................................................21
       3.5 Trace impedance recommendations....................................................................................... 53
       3.6 Power connectivity/routing.......................................................................................................54
       3.7 USB connectivity..................................................................................................................... 57
       3.8 Unused input/output terminations............................................................................................57

Chapter 4 Avoiding board bring-up problems...................................................... 59
       4.1 Introduction..............................................................................................................................59
       4.2 Avoiding power pitfalls -Current...............................................................................................59
       4.3 Avoiding power pitfalls -Voltage.............................................................................................. 59
       4.4 Checking for clock pitfalls........................................................................................................ 61
       4.5 Avoiding reset pitfalls...............................................................................................................61
       4.6 Sample board bring-up checklist............................................................................................. 61

Chapter 5 Using BSDL for Board-level Testing................................................... 64
       5.1 BSDL overview........................................................................................................................ 64
       5.2 How BSDL functions................................................................................................................64
       5.3 Downloading the BSDL file......................................................................................................64
       5.4 Pin coverage of BSDL............................................................................................................. 64
       5.5 Boundary scan operation.........................................................................................................64
       5.6 DDR4 connectivity test in Boundary-Scan...............................................................................67
       5.7 I/O pin power considerations................................................................................................... 68

Chapter 6 Thermal Considerations...................................................................... 69
       6.1 Introduction..............................................................................................................................69
       6.2 PCB Dimensions..................................................................................................................... 69
       6.3 Copper Volume........................................................................................................................69
       6.4 Thermal Resistance.................................................................................................................70
       6.5 Power Net Design....................................................................................................................70

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       6.6 Component Placement............................................................................................................ 70
       6.7 PCB Surroundings...................................................................................................................71
       6.8 Thermal Simulations................................................................................................................71
       6.9 Software optimization.............................................................................................................. 71
       6.10 The Thermal Checklist...........................................................................................................72

Chapter 7 Revision history...................................................................................73

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Chapter 1
Overview
This document aims to help hardware engineers design and test the i.MX 8M Nano series processors. It provides examples on
board layout and design checklists to ensure first-pass success, and solutions to avoid board bring-up problems.
Engineers should understand board layouts and board hardware terminology.
This guide is released with relevant device-specific hardware documentation, such as datasheets, reference manuals, and
application notes. All these documents are available on i.MX 8M NANO.

1.1 Device supported
This document supports the i.MX 8M Nano (14 × 14 mm package).

1.2 Essential references
This guide is supplementary to the i.MX 8M Nano series chip reference manuals and data sheets. For reflow profile and thermal
limits during soldering, see General Soldering Temperature Process Guidelines (document AN3300). These documents are
available on i.MX 8M NANO.

1.3 Supplementary references

1.3.1 General information
The following documents introduce the Arm® processor architecture and computer architecture.
  • For information about the Arm Cortex-A53 processor, see Cortex-A53
  • For information about the Arm Cortex-M4F processor, see Cortex-M7
  • Computer Architecture: A Quantitative Approach (Fourth Edition), by John L. Hennessy and David A. Patterson
  • Computer Organization and Design: The Hardware/Software Interface (Second Edition), by David A. Patterson and John
    L. Hennessy
The following documentation introduces the high-speed board design:
  • Right the First Time- A Practical Handbook on High Speed PCB and System Design - Volumes I & II, by Lee W. Ritchey
    (Speeding Edge) - ISBN 0-9741936- 0-72
  • Signal and Power Integrity Simplified (2nd Edition), by Eric Bogatin (Prentice Hall)- ISBN 0-13- 703502-0
  • High Speed Digital Design- A Handbook of Black Magic, by Howard W. Johnson & Martin Graham (Prentice Hall) - ISBN
    0-13-395724-1
  • High Speed Signal Propagation- Advanced Black Magic, by Howard W. Johnson & Martin Graham - (Prentice Hall) - ISBN
    0-13-084408-X
  • High Speed Digital System Design- A handbook of Interconnect Theory and Practice, by Hall, Hall and McCall (Wiley
    Interscience 2000) - ISBN 0-36090-2
  • Signal Integrity Issues and Printed Circuit Design, by Doug Brooks (Prentice Hall) ISBN 0-13- 141884-X
  • PCB Design for Real-World EMI Control, by Bruce R. Archambeault (Kluwer Academic Publishers Group) - ISBN
    1-4020-7130-2
  • Digital Design for Interference Specifications - A Practical Handbook for EMI Suppression, by David L. Terrell & R.
    Kenneth Keenan (Newnes Publishing) - ISBN 0-7506-7282-X
  • Electromagnetic Compatibility Engineering, by Henry Ott (1st Edition - John Wiley and Sons) - ISBN 0-471-85068-3

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                                                                                                                            Overview

    • Introduction to Electromagnetic Compatibility, by Clayton R. Paul (John Wiley and Sons) - ISBN 978-0-470-18930-6
    • Grounding & Shielding Techniques, by Ralph Morrison (5th Edition - John Wiley & Sons) - ISBN 0- 471-24518-6
    • EMC for Product Engineers, by Tim Williams (Newnes Publishing) - ISBN 0-7506- 2466-3

1.4 Related documentation
Additional literature will be published when new NXP products become available.
For the list of current documents, see i.MX 8M NANO.

1.5 Conventions
Table 1 lists the notational conventions used in this document.

Table 1. Conventions used in the document

      Conventions                                                        Description

Courier                 Used to indicate commands, command parameters, code examples, and file and directory names.

Italics                 Used to indicates command or function parameters.

Bold                    Function names are written in bold.

cleared/set             When a bit takes the value zero, it means to be cleared; when it takes a value of one, it means to be set.

mnemonics               Instruction mnemonics are shown in lowercase bold. Book titles in text are set in italics.

sig_name                Internal signals are written in all lowercase.

nnnn nnnnh              Denotes hexadecimal number

0b                      Denotes binary number

rA, rB                  Instruction syntax used to identify a source GPR

rD                      Instruction syntax used to identify a destination GPR

REG[FIELD]              Abbreviations for registers are shown in uppercase. Specific bits, fields, or ranges appear in brackets. For
                        example, MSR[LE] refers to the little-endian mode enable bit in the machine state register.

x                       An italicized x indicates an alphanumeric variable.

n, m                    An italicized n indicates a numeric variable.

In this guide, notation for all logical, bit-wise, arithmetic, comparison, and assignment operations follow C Language conventions.

1.6 Acronyms and abbreviations
Table 2 defines the acronyms and abbreviations used in this document.

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                                                                                               Overview

Table 2. Definitions and acronyms

       Acronym                                                        Definition

ARMTM                 Advanced RISC Machines processor architecture

BGA                   Ball Grid Array package

BOM                   Bill of Materials

BSDL                  Boundary Scan Description Language

CAN                   Flexible Controller Area Network peripheral

CCM                   Clock Controller Module

CSI                   MIPI Camera Serial Interface

DDR                   Dual Data Rate DRAM

DDR3L                 Low voltage DDR3 DRAM

DDR4                  DDR4 DRAM

DDRC                  DDR Controller

DFP                   Downstream Facing Port (USB Type-C)

DRP                   Dual Role Port (USB Type-C)

ECSPI                 Enhanced Configurable SPI peripheral

EIM                   External Interface Module

ENET                  10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet MAC peripheral

EPIT                  Enhanced Periodic Interrupt Timer peripheral

ESR                   Equivalent Series Resistance

GND                   Ground

GPC                   General Power Controller

GPIO                  General Purpose Input/Output

HDCP                  High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection

I2C                   Inter-integrated Circuit interface

IBIS                  Input output Buffer Information Specification

IOMUX                 i.MX 8M Nano chip-level I/O multiplexing

                                              Table continues on the next page...

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Table 2. Definitions and acronyms (continued)

       Acronym                                                        Definition

JTAG                  Joint Test Action Group

KPP                   Keypad Port Peripheral

LDB                   LVDS Display Bridge

LDO                   Low Drop-Out regulator

LPCG                  Low Power Clock Gating

LPDDR4                Low Power DDR4 DRAM

LVDS                  Low-Voltage Differential Signaling

MLB                   Media Local Bus

ODT                   On-Die Termination

OTP                   One-Time Programmable

PCB                   Printed Circuit Board

PCIe                  PCI Express

PCISig                Peripheral Component Interconnect Special Interest Group

PDN                   Power Distribution Network

PMIC                  Power Management Integrated Circuit

POR                   Power-On Reset

PTH                   Plated Through Hole PCB (i.e. no microvias)

RGMII                 Reduced Gigabit Media Independent Interface (Ethernet)

RMII                  Reduced Media Independent Interface (Ethernet)

ROM                   Read-Only Memory

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Chapter 2
i.MX 8M Nano design checklist
This document provides a design checklist for the i.MX 8M Nano (14 x 14 mm package) processor. The design checklist tables
recommend optimal design and provide explanations to help users understand better. All supplemental tables referenced by the
checklist appear in sections following the design checklist tables.

2.1 Design checklist table
Table 3. LPDDR4 recommandations (i.MX 8M Nano)

    Check box                          Recommendations                          Explanation/Supplemental recommendations

                     1. Connect the DRAM_ZN ball on the processor (ball       This is a reference used during DRAM output
                     P2) to a 240 Ω, 1% resistor to GND.                      buffer driver calibration.

                     2. The ZQ0 and ZQ1 balls on the LPDDR4 device
                     should be connected through 240Ω, 1% resistors to the -
                     LPDDR4 VDD2 rail.

                                                                              This will ensure adherence to the JEDEC
                     3. Place a 10 kΩ, 5% resistor to ground on the DRAM
                                                                              specification until the control is configured and
                     reset signal.
                                                                              starts driving the DDR.

                                                                        LPDDR4 ODT on the i.MX 8M Nano is
                     4. The ODT_CA balls on the LPDDR4 device should be
                                                                        command-based, making processor ODT_CA
                     connected directly to the LPDDR4 VDD2 rail.
                                                                        output balls unnecessary.

                     5. The architecture for each chip inside the DRAM        The processor does not support byte mode
                     package must be x 16.                                    specified in JESD209-4B.

                     6. The processor ball MTEST (ball N2), should be left    These are observability ports for manufacturing
                     unconnected.                                             and are not used otherwise.

                     7. The VREF pin on the processor (ball P1) can be left   The VREF signal for LPDDR4 is generated
                     unconnected.                                             internally by the processor.

                     8. It is strongly suggested to use LPDDR4 if lower
                                                                              The LPDDR4 can operate at low frequency
                     power consumption is required since DLL-off mode is
                                                                              without DLL-off mode.
                     not supported.

                     9. VDD_DRAM should be always on during DDR
                     retention mode. Otherwise the data in DRAM might be      See Errata e50381 for detailed information.
                     lost when exiting this mode.

Table 4. DDR4/DDR3L recommendations (i.MX 8M Nano)

    Check box                          Recommendations                          Explanation/Supplemental recommendations

                     1. Connect the ZQ(DRAM_ZN) ball on the processor         This is a reference used during DRAM output
                     (ball P2) to individual 240 Ω, 1% resistors to GND.      buffer driver calibration.

                                               Table continues on the next page...

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Table 4. DDR4/DDR3L recommendations (i.MX 8M Nano) (continued)

    Check box                           Recommendations                             Explanation/Supplemental recommendations

                     2. The ZQ ball on each DDR4/DDR3L device should
                     be connected through individual 240 Ω, 1% resistors to     -
                     GND.

                     3. Place a 10 kΩ, 5% resistor to ground on the DRAM        This will ensure adherence to the JEDEC
                     reset signal.                                              specification until the control is configured and
                                                                                starts driving the DDR.

                     4. The processor ball MTEST (ball N2), should be left      These are observability ports for manufacturing
                     unconnected.                                               and are not used otherwise.

                     5. Using x16 bit board to test the x8 bit DDR feature,     Using x8 bit setting for initial and train on a x16 bit
                     only the controller setting is different, the PHY should   board, it may cause some issues, such as:
                     train as x16 bit device.
                                                                                    • BG issue
                                                                                    • PDA(Per DRAM Accessibility) based train
                                                                                      issue.

                     6. DLL-off mode isn’t supported, which means DDR4/         The power consumption for low power mode in
                     DDR3L can’t run in low frequency such as 100MTS.           DDR4/DDR3L system will be higher compared
                                                                                with LPDDR4 system.

                     7. VDD_DRAM should be always on during DDR
                     retention mode. Otherwise the data in DRAM might be        See Errata e50381 for detailed information.
                     lost when exiting this mode.

Table 5. I2C recommendations

    Check box                           Recommendations                             Explanation/Supplemental recommendations

                                                                                The I2C bus can only be operated as fast as the
                                                                                slowest peripheral on the bus. If faster operation
                     1. Verify the target I2C interface clock rates
                                                                                is required, move the slow devices to another
                                                                                I2C port.

                                                                                There are multiple I2C ports available on
                                                                                chip, so if a conflict exists, move one of the
                     2. Verify that there are no I2C address conflicts on any
                                                                                conflicting devices to a different I2C bus. If it
                     of the I2C buses utilized
                                                                                is impossible, use a I2C bus switch (NXP part
                                                                                number PCA9646).

                                                                                This could result in excessive loading and
                     3. Do not place more than one set of pull-up resistors     potential incorrect operation. Choose the pull-
                     on the I2C lines.                                          up value commensurate with the bus speed
                                                                                being used.

                     4. Ensure that the VCC rail powering the i.MX 8M Nano
                                                                             Prevent device damage or incorrect operation due
                     I2C interface balls matches the supply voltage used for
                                                          2                  to voltage mismatch.
                     the pull-up resistors and the slave I C devices.

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Table 6. JTAG recommendations

    Check box                           Recommendations                              Explanation/Supplemental recommendations

                                                                                 JTAG_TDO is configured with an on-chip
                     1. Do not use external pullup or pulldown resistors on
                                                                                 keeper circuit and the floating condition is
                     JTAG_TDO.
                                                                                 actively eliminated.

                     2. Follow the recommendations for external pull-up and -
                     pull-down resistors given in Table 17.

                     3. JTAG_MOD should be connected to ground through
                                                                                 -
                     a resistor.

                     4. JTAG_TMS pin must be connected with a 50ohm
                     series resistor near the component if used or fanout.       -
                     Otherwise, floating if not fanout.

Table 7. Reset and ON/OFF recommendations

    Check box                           Recommendations                              Explanation/Supplemental recommendations

                                                                                 POR_B is driven by the PMIC. If a reset button
                     1. The POR_B input must be asserted at powered up           is used, it should be connected to the PWRON_B
                     and remain asserted until the last power rail for devices   pin of the PMIC instead of directly connected
                     required for system boot are at their working voltage.      to POR_B pin of the CPU. When POR_B is
                     This functionality is controlled by the PMIC on EVK.        asserted (low) on the i.MX 8M Nano, the output
                                                                                 PMIC_ON_REQ remains asserted (high).

                                                                                 A brief connection to GND in OFF mode
                                                                                 causes the internal power management state
                     2. For portable applications, the ONOFF pin may be
                                                                                 machine to change state to ON. In ON mode,
                     connected to an ON/OFF SPST push-button switch to
                                                                                 a brief connection to GND generates an interrupt
                     ground. An external pull-up resistor is required on this
                                                                                 (intended to initiate a software-controllable power-
                     pin.
                                                                                 down). The connection to GND for approximate 5
                                                                                 seconds or more causes a forced OFF.

                                                                                 i.MX8M Nano can't be reset by internal reset
                     3. Connect GPIO1_IO02( WDOG_B, ball AG13) to
                                                                                 source in idle mode, repower is preferred. Some
                     external PMIC or reset IC to repower the system
                                                                                 peripherals like SD3.0, QSPI also need repower
                     except SNVS is strongly recommended.
                                                                                 during system reset.

                                                                                 During entering boundary scan mode, WDOG_B
                     4. GPIO1_IO02( WDOG_B, ball AG13) is used as Cold           is always low. Without the WDOG timer
                     Reset. If using PMIC BD71850MWV, external WDOG              buffer circuit, WDOG_B will repeatedly reset
                     timer buffer circuit is needed to support boundary-scan     8MNANOD4- EVK when entering boundary-scan
                     mode.                                                       mode. See section 5.5. Boundary scan operation
                                                                                 for more details.

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Table 8. USB recommendations

Check box                                 Recommendations                            Explanation/
                                                                                     Supplemental recommendations

                                          1. The USB1_TXRTUNE (ball E19)             -
                                          must be connected with a 200 Ω, 1%
                                          resistor to the ground.

                                                                                     The USB1_VBUS pin must not connect
                                          2. The USB1_VBUS (ball F22) must           directly to the 5V VBUS voltage. This pin
                                          be connected with a 30K Ω, 1% series       must be isolated by an external resistor
                                          resistor to 5V VBUS power.                 (30K Ω, 1%) so that the USB1_VBUS pin
                                                                                     sees a lower voltage.

                                          3. Route all USB differential signals with
                                                                                     -
                                          90 Ω differential impedance.

                                          4. ESD protection should be
                                          implemented at the connector
                                                                                     This will prevent potential damages to
                                          pins. Choose a low capacitance
                                                                                     board components from ESD.
                                          device recommended for high-speed
                                          interfaces.

Table 9. FlexSPI recommendations

    Check box                        Recommendations                          Explanation/Supplemental recommendations

                                                                            There are three modes for the internal sample
                                                                            clock for FlexSPI read data:
                                                                              • Dummy read strobe generated by FlexSPI
                                                                                controller and looped back internally
                                                                                (FlexSPIn_MCR0[RXCLKSRC] = 0x0), can
                                                                                only reach 66Mhz operation frequency;

                       1. Read strobe(DQS) pad should be floated or with      • Dummy read strobe generated by FlexSPI
                          a 10-18pF cap load to compensate SIO/SCK              controller and looped back through the DQS
                          pins load for high speed running, if the memory       pad(FlexSPIn_MCR0[RXCLKSRC] = 0x1),
                          device doesn't provide DQS.                           can reach 133Mhz operation frequency.
                                                                                In this mode, this pin can be floated or
                                                                                put some cap loads on board level to
                                                                                compensate SIO/SCK pins load;
                                                                              • Read strobe provided by memory
                                                                                device and input from DQS pad
                                                                                (FlexSPIn_MCR0[RXCLKSRC] = 0x3), can
                                                                                reach 133Mhz operation frequency.

Table 10. Oscillator/Crystal recommendations

    Check box                        Recommendations                          Explanation/Supplemental recommendations

                     1. Connect a 24 MHz crystal and a 510K Ω resistor
                                                                            This crystal should have ESR not greater than 80
                     between 24M_XTALI and 24M_XTALO (balls B27 and
                                                                            Ω, and be rated for a drive level of at least 180
                     C26).

                                             Table continues on the next page...

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Table 10. Oscillator/Crystal recommendations (continued)

    Check box                          Recommendations                          Explanation/Supplemental recommendations

                                                                              µW. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendation
                                                                              for loading capacitance. Use short traces between
                                                                              the crystal and the processor, with a ground
                                                                              plane under the crystal, load capacitors, and
                                                                              associated traces.

                     2. Use the 32.768 kHz clock generated by the             The voltage level of this driving clock should not
                     PMIC to drive the i.MX 8M Nano RTC_XTALI input           exceed the voltage of the NVCC_SNVS rail, or the
                     (ball A26), and connect RTC_XTALO (ball B25) to          damage/malfunction may occur. The RTC signal
                     VDD_SNVS_0P8.                                            should not be driven if the NVCC_SNVS supply
                                                                              is OFF. It can lead to damage or malfunction.
                                                                              For RTC VIL and VIH voltage levels, see the
                                                                              latest i.MX 8M Nano datasheet available at
                                                                              www.nxp.com/i.MX8MNANO.

Table 11. Temperature sensor recommendations

    Check box                          Recommendations                          Explanation/Supplemental recommendations

                        1. The TSENSOR_RES_EXT (ball J24) must be             This external resistor is used for temperature
                           connected with a 100K Ω, 1% resistor to GND.       calibration, the wrong resistor value will result in
                                                                              erroneous behavior for the temperature sensor.

Table 12. i.MX 8M Nano power/decoupling recommendations

    Check box                          Recommendations                          Explanation/Supplemental recommendations

                                                                              Any deviation from these sequences may result in
                                                                              the following situations:
                     1. Comply with the power-up sequence guidelines            • Excessive current during power-up phase
                     as described in the datasheet to guarantee reliable
                     operations of the device.                                  • Prevention of the device from booting
                                                                                • Irreversible damage to the processor (worst
                                                                                  case)

                                                                              Common requirement for ripple noise peak-to-
                     2. Maximum ripple voltage requirements                   peak value should be less than 5% of the supply
                                                                              voltage nominal value.

                     3. If using BD71850MWV PMIC to provide power,
                                                                              Leaving any regulator except BUCK5/LDO4/
                     make sure all the regulators except BUCK5/LDO4/
                                                                              LDO5 output open will lead to malfunction of
                     LDO5 have output L/C components properly
                                                                              the PMIC.
                     connected, even if unused.

                                                                              The voltage sensing pins are R_SNSP3_CFG,
                     4. If using PCA9450B PMIC to provide power, make
                                                                              R_SNSPx and BUCKxFB in PCA9450B. Leaving
                     sure the voltage sensing pin of each BUCK is tied to
                                                                              any BUCK output open, the PMIC will enter
                     VSYS if unused.
                                                                              fault shutdown.

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Table 13. Decoupling capacitors recommendations (i.MX 8M Nano)

 Checkbox              Supply           2.2 nF       0.22 µF     1 µF    4.7 µF     10 µF                  Notes

                     VDD_SOC,                                                                These 4 power rails are combined
                                                                                             together on EVK
                     VDD_DRAM,
                                          -              -        11        -        3
                      VDD_GPU,
               VDD_DRAM_PLL_0P8

                     NVCC_DRAM            -              -         6        -        2       -

                      VDD_ARM             -              -         5        -        1       -

                VDD_SNVS_0P8              -             1          -        -         -      -

                NVCC_SNVS_1P8             -              -         1        -         -      -

               VDD_24M_XTAL_1P8           -             1          -        -         -      -

               VDD_DRAM_PLL_1P8           -              -         1        -         -      -

                     PVCC_1P8             -             2          -        -         -      -

               VDD_ARM_PLL_1P8,
                VDD_ANA0_1P8,
                VDD_ANA1_1P8,             -             4          -        -        1       -
                 VDD_USB_1P8,
                 VDD_MIPI_1P8

                  NVCC_SAI3,
                  NVCC_SAI5,
                 NVCC_ECSPI,              -             4          -       1          -      -

                 VDD_USB_3P3

                     NVCC_JTAG,
                 NVCC_NAND,
                     NVCC_SAI2,
                 NVCC_GPIO1,              -             3          -        -        1       -
                  NVCC_I2C,
                 NVCC_UART,
                     NVCC_SD1,
                     NVCC_CLK

                     NVCC_SD2             -             1          -        -         -      -

                     NVCC_ENET            -             1          -        -         -      -

               VDD_ARM_PLL_0P8,           -             1          -       1          -      -

                                              Table continues on the next page...

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Table 13. Decoupling capacitors recommendations (i.MX 8M Nano) (continued)

 Checkbox             Supply             2.2 nF         0.22 µF         1 µF   4.7 µF    10 µF                 Notes

                  VDD_ANA_0P8,
                  VDD_USB_0P8,

                  VDD_MIPI_1P2             -              1              -       -         -     -

                  VDD_MIPI_0P8             -              1              -       -         -     -

                                                                                                 Must connect a 2.2nF capacitor
                 MIPI_VREG_CAP             1               -             -       -         -     between MIPI_VREG_CAP (ball
                                                                                                 D15) and GND.

               Capacitor part number used on EVK:
                • 2.2 nF --- GRM033R71C222KA88D
                • 0.22 uF --- LMK063BJ224MP-F
                • 1 uF --- 02016D105MAT2A
                • 4.7 uF --- CL05A475KP5NRNC
                • 10 uF --- ZRB15XR60J106ME12D

Table 14. Bulk/Bypass capacitors recommendations ( ROHM BD71850MWV PMIC)

 Checkbox               Supply                   1 µF             4.7 µF         10 µF           22 µF              Notes

                        BUCK1                                                                             -
                                                   -                -                -               2
               (VDD_SOC&DRAM&GPU)

                        BUCK2                                                                             -
                                                   -                -                -               2
                      (VDD_ARM)

                        BUCK6                                                                             -
                                                   -                -                -               2
                      (VDD_3V3)

                        BUCK7                                                                             -
                                                   -                -                -               2
                      (VDD_1V8)

                        BUCK8                                                                             -
                                                   -                -                -               2
                     (NVCC_DRAM)

                         LDO1                                                                             -
                                                   1                -                -               -
                  (NVCC_SNVS_1V8)

                         LDO2                                                                             -
                                                   1                -                -               -
                   (VDD_SNVS_0V8)

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Table 14. Bulk/Bypass capacitors recommendations ( ROHM BD71850MWV PMIC) (continued)

 Checkbox                Supply                 1 µF          4.7 µF            10 µF      22 µF              Notes

                         LDO3
                                                  -             1                 -            -    -
                      (VDDA_1V8)

                         LDO6
                                                  -             1                 -            -    -
                     (VDD_PHY_1V2)

                     MUXSW_VOUT
                                                  -              -               1             -    -
                      (NVCC_SD2)

               Capacitor part number used on EVK:
                • 1 uF --- 02016D105MAT2A
                • 4.7 uF --- CL05A475KP5NRNC
                • 10 uF --- GRM188R61A106KE69D
                • 22 uF --- C1608X5R1A226M080AC

Table 15. Bulk/Bypass capacitors recommendations (NXP PCA9450B PMIC)

 Checkbox                Supply                       1 µF             2.2 µF           22 µF                 Notes

                         BUCK1
                                                       -                 -                 1
               (VDD_SOC&DRAM&GPU)

                         BUCK2                                                                      -
                                                       -                 -                 1
                       (VDD_ARM)

                         BUCK4                                                                      -
                                                       -                 -                 1
                       (VDD_3V3)

                         BUCK5                                                                      -
                                                       -                 -                 1
                       (VDD_1V8)

                         BUCK6                                                                      -
                                                       -                 -                 1
                      (NVCC_DRAM)

                         LDO1                                                                       -
                                                       1                 -                 -
                  (NVCC_SNVS_1V8)

                         LDO2                                                                       -
                                                       1                 -                 -
                     (VDD_SNVS_0V8)

                         LDO3
                                                       -                 1                 -        -
                       (VDDA_1V8)

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Table 15. Bulk/Bypass capacitors recommendations (NXP PCA9450B PMIC) (continued)

 Checkbox                 Supply                     1 µF                 2.2 µF             22 µF                   Notes

                           LDO4
                                                      1                     -                   -          -
                     (VDD_PHY_1V2)

                           LDO5
                                                      1                     -                   -          -
                       (NVCC_SD2)

               Capacitor part number used on EVK:
                • 1 uF --- 02016D105MAT2A
                • 2.2 uF --- C1005X5R1A225K
                • 22 uF --- C1608X5R1A226M080AC

Table 16. PCB design recommendations

    Check box                         Recommendations                              Explanation/Supplemental recommendations

                                                                                Controlled impedance is the key factor to have good
                                                                                signal integrity. Note that the reference plane can
                                                                                only be GND or the signal’s own I/O power. Do not
                     1. High-speed signal traces have reference plane in        use other nets as reference.
                     adjacent layer and are impedance controlled.
                                                                                For DRAM, only GND reference is accepted for
                                                                                maintaining impedance. The power plane reference
                                                                                can’t be as the sole impedance return.

                     2. High-speed signal traces never cross gap or slot        Crossing gap in reference plane will cause reflection
                     in reference plane.                                        and increase crosstalk.

                     3. Place at least one GND stitching via within 50 mils GND stitching via can help keep impedance
                     of signal via when switching reference planes.         continuous and reduce via crosstalk.

                     4. Appropriate delay matching is done for parallel         Signals within a bus should have delay time matched
                     bus.                                                       to maintain timing margin.

                     5. The true and complementary signal of a                  The true and complementary signal within
                     differential pair must have delay matched to within        a differential pair should have delay time
                     1ps.                                                       tightly matched.

                     6. DDR interface passed SI simulation. Alternatively, Generally, SI simulation should be performed for
                     directly copy the EVK DDR layout design.              DDR interface that runs at 3200 MT/s(LPDDR4) or
                                                                           2400MT/s(DDR4) or 1600MT/s(DDR3L) to ensure
                                                                           stable working. If this is not feasible, just copy the
                                                                           EVK DDR layout design as well as the board stack-
                                                                           up.

                     7. Place test point on key signals to ease debugging. Test points can bring excessive capacitance
                     When placing test point on high-speed signal traces, and should be carefully handled on high-speed
                     make sure its diameter is no more than 20mil and      signal traces.

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Table 16. PCB design recommendations (continued)

    Check box                         Recommendations                            Explanation/Supplemental recommendations

                     the test point be directly placed on the trace with no
                     stub.

                     8. Decoupling capacitors are placed as close to IC       Tight routing to both power and ground is needed to
                     power pins and GND pins as possible.                     provide optimum decoupling effectiveness.

2.2 JTAG signal termination
Table 17 is a JTAG termination chart showing what terminations should be placed on PCB designs.

Table 17. Recommended JTAG board terminations

      JTAG signal                 I/O type               External termination                        Comments

      JTAG_TCK                      Input                  10 kΩ pull-down         -

      JTAG_TMS                      Input               50ohm serial resistor      Internal pulled up to NVCC_JTAG, connected
                                                                                   with a 50ohm serial resistor.

       JTAG_TDI                     Input                       None               Internal pulled up to NVCC_JTAG, no external
                                                                                   termination required

      JTAG_TDO                 3-state output                   None               -

2.3 Signal termination for Boundary-scan
Table 18 is a signal termination chart showing what terminations should be placed on board designs to support Boundary-scan.

Table 18. Recommended board terminations for Boundary-scan

         JTAG signal                    I/O type            External termination                       Comments

       BOOT_MODE0                           Input                  Pull up             BOOT_MODE[3:0] must be at 1111 before
                                                                                       entering Boundary-scan mode.
       BOOT_MODE1                           Input                  Pull up

       BOOT_MODE2                           Input                  Pull up

       BOOT_MODE3                           Input                  Pull up

           POR_B                            Input                  Pull up

       RTC_RESET_B                          Input                  Pull up             If using PMIC PCA9450B, it is internally
                                                                                       pulled up.

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Chapter 3
i.MX 8M Nano layout/routing recommendations

3.1 Introduction
This chapter describes how to assist design engineers with the layout of an i.MX 8M Nano-based system.

3.2 Basic design recommendations
When using the Allegro design tool, the schematic symbol & PCB footprint created by NXP is recommended. When not using the
Allegro tool, use the Allegro footprint export feature (supported by many tools). If the export is not possible, create the footprint
per the package dimensions outlined in the product data sheet.
Native Allegro layout and gerber files are available on i.MX 8M NANO EVK.

3.2.1 Placing decoupling capacitors
Place small decoupling and larger bulk capacitors on the bottom side of the PCB.
The 0201 or 0402 decoupling and 0603 or larger bulk capacitors should be mounted as close as possible to the power vias. The
distance should be less than 50 mils. Additional bulk capacitors can be placed near the edge of the BGA via array. Placing the
decoupling capacitors close to the power balls is critical to minimize inductance and ensure high-speed transient current required
by the processor. See the i.MX 8M Nano EVK layouts for examples of the desired decoupling capacitor placement.
The following list describes how to choose correct decoupling scheme:
  • Place the largest capacitance in the smallest package that budget and manufacturing can support.
  • For high-speed bypassing, select the required capacitance with the smallest package (for example, 0.1 μF, 0.22 μF, 1.0
    μF, or even 2.2 μF in a 0201 package size).
  • Minimize trace length (inductance) to small caps.
  • Series inductance cancels out capacitance.
  • Tie caps to GND plane directly with a via.
  • Place capacitors close to the power ball of the associated package from the schematic.
  • A preferred BGA power decoupling design is available on the EVK board design available on i.MX 8M NANO EVK.
    Customers should use the NXP design strategy for power and decoupling.

3.3 Stack-up and manufacturing recommendations

3.3.1 Stack-up recommendation (i.MX 8M Nano)
Due to the number of balls on the i.MX 8M Nano processor in the 14 mm x 14 mm package, a minimum 6-layer PCB stack-up is
recommended. For the 6-layers on the PCB, a sufficient number of layers need to be dedicated to power on routing to meet the
IR drop target of 2% for the i.MX 8M Nano CPU power rails.
The constraints for the trace width will depend on such factors as the board stack-up and associated dielectric and copper
thickness, required impedance, and required current (for power traces). The stack-up also determines the constraints for routing
and spacing. Consider the following requirements when designing the stack-up and selecting board material:
  • Board stack-up is critical for high-speed signal quality.
  • Preplanning impedance of critical traces is required.
  • High-speed signals must have reference planes on adjacent layers to minimize cross-talk.

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  • PCB material: the material used on EVK is TU768.

3.3.2 Manufacturing recommendation (i.MX 8M Nano)
Since the i.MX 8M Nano processor uses 0.5mm-pitch BGA package, the PCB technology must meet below requirement to fully
fanout all the signals of the processor using PTH(plated through holes).
  • Minimum trace width: 3.2mil
  • Minimum trace to trace/pad spacing: 3.2mil
  • Minimum via size: 8mil-diameter hole, 16mil-diameter pad
  • Minimum via pad to pad spacing: 4mil
Figure 1 shows the reference routing of the i.MX 8M Nano, PTH is ok for the fanout, HDI is not needed.

 Figure 1. i.MX 8M Nano fanout routing on EVK

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3.3.3 EVK PCB stack-up (i.MX 8M Nano)
Table 19 and Table 20 show stack-up of the LPDDR4 EVK. The LPDDR4 CPU board use 6-layer stack-up and the BB board use
8-layer stack-up. DDR4 and shares same BB board as 8MMINI-BB, and CPU board stack-up is similar, users can also use similar
stack-up, but need to confirm with PCB manufacturer.

Table 19. 8MNANOLPD4-CPU Board stack up information

               Layer                 Description              Copper (Oz.)                    Dielectric thickness (mil)

                1                       Signal                 0.5+Plating

                                      Dielectric                                                      2.76 mil

                2                       GND                         1

                                      Dielectric                                                      2.95 mil

                3                       Signal                      1

                                      Dielectric                                                      25.28 mil

                4                       Power                       1

                                      Dielectric                                                      2.95 mil

                5                       Power                       1

                                      Dielectric                                                      2.76 mil

                6                       Signal                 0.5+Plating

       Total thickness:                     47.24(4.72/-4.72) mil                               1.2(+0.12/-0.12) MM

           Material:                               TU768                                               TU768

Table 20. 8MMINI-BB Board stack up information

               Layer                 Description              Copper (Oz.)                    Dielectric thickness (mil)

                1                       Signal                 0.5+Plating

                                      Dielectric                                                      2.717 mil

                2                       GND                         1

                                      Dielectric                                                      4.33 mil

                3                       Signal                      1

                                      Dielectric                                                     11.085 mil

                4                       Power                       1

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Table 20. 8MMINI-BB Board stack up information (continued)

               Layer                   Description                  Copper (Oz.)               Dielectric thickness (mil)

                                        Dielectric                                                    14.170 mil

                5                          Power                         1

                                        Dielectric                                                    11.415 mil

                6                          Signal                        1

                                        Dielectric                                                     4.33 mil

                7                          GND                           1

                                        Dielectric                                                     2.717 mil

                8                          Signal                   0.5+Plating

       Total thickness:                       62.992(6.299/-6.299) mil                           1.6(+0.16/-0.16) MM

           Material:                                  TU768                                             TU768

3.4 DDR design recommendations

3.4.1 DDR connection information
The i.MX 8M Nano processor can be used with LPDDR4, DDR4 or DDR3L memory. Since these memory types have different I/O
signals, there are 38 generically-named functional balls, depending on the type of memory used. See Table 21 for the connectivity
of these generic balls for DDR3L, LPDDR4 and DDR4. The schematic symbol created by NXP already replaced these generic
names with DDR function.

Table 21. DDR3L/LPDDR4/DDR4 ADD/CMD/CTRL signals connectivity

        Ball name                    Ball #             LPDDR4 function            DDR4 function             DDR3L function

       DRAM_AC00                      F4                    CKE0_A                    CKE0                         CKE0

       DRAM_AC01                      F5                    CKE1_A                    CKE1                         CKE1

       DRAM_AC02                      K4                      CS0_A                   CS0_n                        CS0#

       DRAM_AC03                      J4                      CS1_A                     C0                           -

       DRAM_AC04                      L2                     CK_t_A                    BG0                         BA2

       DRAM_AC05                      L1                     CK_c_A                    BG1                         A14

       DRAM_AC06                      F6                        -                     ACT_n                        A15

       DRAM_AC07                      J5                        -                       A9                          A9

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Table 21. DDR3L/LPDDR4/DDR4 ADD/CMD/CTRL signals connectivity (continued)

        Ball name              Ball #            LPDDR4 function           DDR4 function             DDR3L function

       DRAM_AC08                J6                    CA0_A                     A12                      A12/BC#

       DRAM_AC09                K6                    CA1_A                     A11                        A11

       DRAM_AC10                E4                    CA2_A                      A7                         A7

       DRAM_AC11                D5                    CA3_A                      A8                         A8

       DRAM_AC12                N4                    CA4_A                      A6                         A6

       DRAM_AC13                N5                    CA5_A                      A5                         A5

       DRAM_AC14                K5                       -                       A4                         A4

       DRAM_AC15                N6                       -                       A3                         A3

       DRAM_AC16                M1                       -                     CK_t_A                      CK_A

       DRAM_AC17                M2                       -                    CK_c_A                      CK#_A

       DRAM_AC19                N2                    MTEST                    MTEST                      MTEST

       DRAM_AC20                AB4                  CKE0_B                    CK_t_B                      CK_B

       DRAM_AC21                AB5                  CKE1_B                   CK_c_B                      CK#_B

       DRAM_AC22                W4                    CS1_B                       -                          -

       DRAM_AC23                V4                    CS0_B                       -                          -

       DRAM_AC24                U2                    CK_t_B                     A2                         A2

       DRAM_AC25                U1                    CK_c_B                     A1                         A1

       DRAM_AC26                N1                       -                      BA1                        BA1

       DRAM_AC27                R6                       -                    PARITY                         -

       DRAM_AC28                W6                    CA0_B                     A13                        A13

       DRAM_AC29                V6                    CA1_B                     BA0                        BA0

       DRAM_AC30                AC4                   CA2_B                   A10 / AP                   A10 / AP

       DRAM_AC31                AD5                   CA3_B                      A0                         A0

       DRAM_AC32                R4                    CA4_B                      C2                          -

       DRAM_AC33                R5                    CA5_B                 CAS_n / A15                   CAS#

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Table 21. DDR3L/LPDDR4/DDR4 ADD/CMD/CTRL signals connectivity (continued)

        Ball name                    Ball #            LPDDR4 function            DDR4 function             DDR3L function

       DRAM_AC34                      T1                        -                  WE_n / A14                     WE#

       DRAM_AC35                      T2                        -                 RAS_n / A16                     RAS#

       DRAM_AC36                      V5                        -                     ODT0                        ODT0

       DRAM_AC37                      W5                        -                     ODT1                        ODT1

       DRAM_AC38                      AB6                       -                     CS1_n                       CS1#

3.4.2 LPDDR4-3200 design recommendations

The following list details some generic guidelines that should be adhered to when implementing an i.MX 8M Nano design
using LPDDR4.
   1. It is expected that the layout engineer and design team already h ave experience and training with DDR designs at
      speeds of 1.6 GHz / 3200 MT/s.
   2. All high-speed signal traces must reference a solid GND plane. Referencing only to the VDD power plane is not
      supported.
   3. Keep edge to edge spacing of high speed signal traces no less than 2 times the trace width to minimize trace crosstalk.
      Increase spacing when available in the system.
   4. At a speed of 3200 MT/s, signal vias can be a significant source of crosstalk. If not properly designed, they can
      introduce crosstalk larger than that from the trace. To minimize via crosstalk, make sure the total number of vias to be
      two or less on each point-to-point single-ended/differential trace. Place at least one ground stitching via within 50 mils of
      signal via when switching reference planes to provide continuous return path and reduce crosstalk. If it is not possible to
      place enough ground stitching vias due to space limitation, try to make the length that the signal actually travels on the
      via as short as possible, as illustrated in Figure 2.

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        Figure 2. Length that the signal actually travels on the Via

   5. CLK and DQS signals can be routed on different layer with DQ/CA signals to ease routing. When doing this, keep no
      less than 5 times trace width spacing from other signals.
   6. U se time delay instead of length when performing the delay matching. The delay matching includes the PCB trace
      delay and the IC package delay. Incorporate the package pin delay into the CAD tool’s constraint manager.
   7. Include the delay of vias when performing delay matching. This can be realized in Allegro tool by enabling the Z Axis
      Delay in “Setup -> Constraints -> Modes”.
   8. Data Byte swapping within each 16-bit channel is OK. Bit swapping within each slice/byte lane is OK.
   9. Bit swapping of Command/Address (CA[5:0], CKE[1:0], CS[1:0]) signals is NOT allowed.
   10. i.MX 8M Nano does not drive ODT_CA signal. The ODT_CA balls on the LPDDR4 devices should be connected
       directly to the VDD2 supply.
   11. In general, the 200-ball LPDDR4 package should be placed 200 mils from the i.MX 8M Nano .
   12. Enable the DBI (data bus inversion) feature. It can help reduce both power consumption and power noise.
   13. The LPDDR4 routing delay rules allow for reduction of most DATA bus serpentine requirements resulting in easier
       routing on i.MX 8M Nano. Command Bus Training is required for LPDDR4. Please ensure SW enables and configures
       the Command Bus Training.
   14. The LPDDR4 routing delay rules allow for limited reduction Command/Address bus serpentine requirements on i.MX
       8M Nano. Address/Command Bus is sectioned into 3 group that still require tight timing control. Command Bus
       Training is required for LPDDR4. Please ensure SW enables and configures the Command Bus Training.

3.4.2.1 i.MX 8M Nano LPDDR4-3200 routing recommendations
LPDDR4-3200 needs to be routed with signal fly times matched shown in Table 22. The delay of the via transitions needs to
be included in the overall calculation. This can be realized in Allegro tool by enabling the Z Axis Delay in Setup -> Constraints
-> Modes.

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An example of the delay match calculation has been shown for the i.MX 8M Nano EVK board design in Table 23 and Table 24.
This analysis was done for the LPDDR4-3200 implementation using the i.MX 8M Nano. In Table 23 and Table 24, the PCB Delay
column was obtained directly from the Allegro PCB file, and the Pkg Delay column is the package delay obtained from Table 32.
NXP recommends that users simulate their LPDDR4 implementation before fabricating PCBs.

Table 22. i.MX 8M Nano LPDDR4-3200 routing recommendations

                                                          LPDDR4-3200

LPDDR4 signal (each                Group                         PCB + package prop delay
16-bit channel)
                                                                Min                         Max               Considerations

                                                                                                         Match the true/
CK_t/CK_c                Clock                       Short as possible         200 ps                    complement signals
                                                                                                         within 1 ps.

                                                                                                         Match CA5, CA4 within
CA5, CA4
                                                                                                         2.0ps

                         Address/ Command/                                                               Match CA3, CA2, CA1,
CA3, CA2, CA1, CA0                                   CK_t - 50 ps              CK_t + 50 ps
                         Control                                                                         CA0 within 2.0ps

CKE1, CKE0, CS1,                                                                                         Match CKE1, CKE0,
CS0                                                                                                      CS1, CS0 within 2.0ps

DQS0_t/DQS0_c            Byte 0 - DQS                CK_t - 75 ps              CK_t + 75 ps

DM0
                         Byte 0 - Data               DQS0_t -50 ps             DQS0_t +50 ps
DQ[7:0]                                                                                                  Match the true/
                                                                                                         complement signals of
DQS1_t/DQS1_c            Byte 1 - DQS                CK_t - 75 ps              CK_t + 75 ps              each DQS within 1 ps.
DM1
                         Byte 1 - Data               DQS1_t -50 ps             DQS1_t +50 ps
DQ[15:8]

Table 23. LPDDR4 delay matching example (CA/CTL signals)

           Net name                      PCB delay (ps)                    Pkg delay (ps)                    Comments

DRAM_CK_T_A                      99                                 41.1                           Vias are L1-> L6->L1

                                                               140.1                               Total Net Delay

DRAM_CK_C_A                      98.5                               41.2                           Vias are L1-> L6->L1

                                                               139.7                               Total Net Delay

DRAM_CA0_A                       134.2                              39.6                           Vias are L1-> L3->L1

                                                               173.8                               Total Net Delay

DRAM_CA1_A                       144.9                              29.1                           Vias are L1-> L3->L1

                                                                174                                Total Net Delay

DRAM_CA2_A                       119.6                              54.8                           Vias are L1-> L6->L1

                                                               174.4                               Total Net Delay

DRAM_CA3_A                       114                                59.7                           Vias are L1-> L6->L1

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Table 23. LPDDR4 delay matching example (CA/CTL signals) (continued)

           Net name                  PCB delay (ps)                  Pkg delay (ps)                     Comments

                                                          173.7                               Total Net Delay

DRAM_CA4_A                   75.5                            33.8                             Vias are L1-> L3->L1

                                                          109.3                               Total Net Delay

DRAM_CA5_A                   78.2                            32.0                             Vias are L1-> L3->L1

                                                          110.2                               Total Net Delay

DRAM_nCS0_A                  142.8                           35.9                             Vias are L1-> L3->L1

                                                          178.7                               Total Net Delay

DRAM_nCS1_A                  134                             44.2                             Vias are L1-> L3->L1

                                                          178.2                               Total Net Delay

DRAM_CKE0_A                  127                             51.2                             Vias are L1-> L3->L1

                                                          178.2                               Total Net Delay

DRAM_CKE1_A                  138.9                           39.9                             Vias are L1-> L3->L1

                                                          178.8                               Total Net Delay

Table 24. LPDDR4 length matching example (Byte0/Byte1 signals)

           Net name                  PCB delay (ps)                  Pkg delay (ps)                     Comments

DRAM_SDQS0_T                 122.6                           59.0                             Routed on bottom layer, no
                                                                                              via

                                                          181.6                               Total Net Delay

DRAM_SDQS0_C                 123.2                           58.9                             Routed on bottom layer, no
                                                                                              via

                                                          182.1                               Total Net Delay

DRAM_DMI0                    135.9                           57.2                             Vias are L1-> L3->L1

                                                          193.1                               Total Net Delay

DRAM_DQ00                    142.2                           47.2                             Vias are L1-> L3->L1

                                                          189.4                               Total Net Delay

DRAM_DQ01                    143.8                           43.0                             Vias are L1-> L3->L1

                                                          186.8                               Total Net Delay

DRAM_DQ02                    126.8                           54.6                             Vias are L1-> L3->L1

                                                          181.4                               Total Net Delay

DRAM_DQ03                    118.7                           51.7                             Vias are L1-> L3->L1

                                                          170.4                               Total Net Delay

DRAM_DQ04                    112.7                           59.9                             Vias are L1-> L3->L1

                                                          172.6                               Total Net Delay

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Table 24. LPDDR4 length matching example (Byte0/Byte1 signals) (continued)

           Net name                      PCB delay (ps)                   Pkg delay (ps)                     Comments

DRAM_DQ05                        114.8                            58.1                             Vias are L1-> L3->L1

                                                               172.9                               Total Net Delay

DRAM_DQ06                        114                              64.6                             Vias are L1-> L3->L1

                                                               178.6                               Total Net Delay

DRAM_DQ07                        126.6                            51.4                             Vias are L1-> L3->L1

                                                                178                                Total Net Delay

DRAM_SDQS1_T                     83.5                             48.6                             Routed on bottom layer, no
                                                                                                   via

                                                               132.1                               Total Net Delay

DRAM_SDQS1_C                     84.2                             47.2                             Routed on bottom layer, no
                                                                                                   via

                                                               131.4                               Total Net Delay

DRAM_DMI1                        56.8                             58.6                             Routed on top layer, no via

                                                               115.4                               Total Net Delay

DRAM_DQ008                       56.1                             45.0                             Routed on top layer, no via

                                                               101.1                               Total Net Delay

DRAM_DQ09                        53.5                             50.1                             Routed on top layer, no via

                                                               103.6                               Total Net Delay

DRAM_DQ10                        55.8                             46.2                             Routed on top layer, no via

                                                                103                                Total Net Delay

DRAM_DQ11                        52.3                             47.2                             Routed on top layer, no via

                                                               99.5                                Total Net Delay

DRAM_DQ12                        50                               40.3                             Routed on top layer, no via

                                                               90.3                                Total Net Delay

DRAM_DQ13                        71.5                             48.8                             Routed on top layer, no via

                                                               120.3                               Total Net Delay

DRAM_DQ14                        67.3                             58.4                             Routed on top layer, no via

                                                               125.7                               Total Net Delay

DRAM_DQ15                        78.2                             52.4                             Routed on top layer, no via

                                                               130.6                               Total Net Delay

3.4.2.2 LPDDR4-3200 routing example (i.MX 8M Nano)
Figure 3 to Figure 5 show the placement and routing of the LPDDR4 signals on the i.MX 8M Nano EVK board. The CLK and DQS
signals are routed on bottom layer to save routing space on top layer and layer 3. Data byte lane 1 signals are routed on top layer,
and data byte lane 0 and CA/CTL signals are routed on layer 3. This is to make the signal actually travels on the via as short as
possible to minimize via crosstalk.

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 Figure 3. i.MX 8M Nano EVK board LPDDR4 routing (Top Layer)

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 Figure 4. i.MX 8M Nano EVK board LPDDR4 routing (Layer 3)

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 Figure 5. i.MX 8M Nano EVK board LPDDR4 routing (Bottom Layer)

3.4.3 i.MX 8M Nano DDR4-2400 design recommendations
The following list provides some generic guidelines for implementing an i.MX 8M Nano design using DDR4.
   1. It is expected that the layout engineer and design team already has experience and training with DDR designs at
      speeds of 1.2 GHz / 2400 MT/s.
   2. DQ/DMI signal traces must refer to solid GND plane only. Addr/Cmd/Ctrl signal traces can refer to GND plane only or
      GND+VDDQ plane (when routed as strip line). Referring to VDDQ plane only is not allowed.
   3. Keep edge-to-edge spacing of high-speed signal traces no less than 1.5 times the trace width to minimize trace
      crosstalk.
   4. At a speed of 2400 MT/s, signal vias can be a significant source of crosstalk. If not properly designed, it can introduce
      crosstalk larger than that from the trace. To minimize via crosstalk, make sure that the number of vias on each
      point-to-point signal is no more than 2. Place at least one ground stitching via within 50 mils of signal via when switching
      reference planes to provide continuous return path and reduce crosstalk. If it is not possible to place enough ground
      stitching vias due to space limitation, try to make the length that the signal actually travels on the via as short as
      possible, as illustrated in Figure 6.

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        Figure 6. Length that the signal actually travels on the Via

   5. CLK and DQS signals can be routed on different layers with DQ/CA signals to ease routing. When doing this, keep no
      less than 5 times trace width spacing from other signals.
   6. Use time delay instead of length when performing the delay matching. The delay matching includes the PCB trace delay
      and the IC package delay. Incorporate the package pin delay into the CAD tool’s constraint manager.
   7. Include the delay of vias when performing delay matching. This can be realized in Allegro tool by enabling the Z Axis
      Delay in Setup -> Constraints -> Modes.
   8. Data Byte swapping between upper/lower byte lane is allowed. Bit swapping within each slice/byte lane is allowed.
   9. Bit swapping of Cmd/Addr/Ctrl signals is NOT allowed.
   10. In general, the DDR4 DRAM should be placed 200 mils from the i.MX 8M Nano.
   11. Enable the Data Bus Inversion (DBI) feature. It can help reduce both power consumption and power noise.

3.4.3.1 i.MX 8M Nano DDR4-2400 routing recommendations
DDR4-2400 needs to be routed with signal fly times matched shown in Table 25. The delay of the via transitions needs to be
included in the overall calculation. This can be realized in Allegro tool by enabling the Z Axis Delay in Setup -> Constraints
-> Modes.
An example of the delay match calculation has been shown for the i.MX 8M Nano DDR4 EVK board design in Table 26 and Table
27. This analysis is done for the DDR4-2400 implementation using the i.MX 8M Nano. In Table 26 and Table 27, the PCB Delay
column is obtained directly from the Allegro PCB file, and the Pkg Delay column is the package delay obtained from Table 32.

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Table 25. i.MX 8M Nano DDR4-2400 routing recommendations

                                                         DDR4-2400

                                                                    PCB + package prop delay
 DDR4/DDR3L signal                   Group                                                                   Considerations
                                                                    Min.                      Max.

                                                                                                          Match the
      CK_t/CK_c                       Clock                   Short as possible           500ps1          true/complement
                                                                                                          signals within 1 ps.

 A[13:0]/BA[1:0]/BG0

  CS/RAS/WE/CAS           Address/ Command/ Control             CK_t - 10 ps           CK_t + 10 ps

       CKE/ODT

   DQS0_t/DQS0_c                  Byte 0 - DQS                Short as possible      CK_t + 1.0 * tCK           Match the
                                                                                                            true/complement
         DM0                                                                                                 signals of DQS
                                  Byte 0 - Data                DQS0_t -10 ps          DQS0_t +10 ps            within 1 ps.
        DQ[7:0]

   DQS1_t/DQS1_c                  Byte 1 - DQS                Short as possible      CK_t + 1.0 * tCK

         DM1
                                  Byte 1 - Data                DQS1_t -10 ps          DQS1_t + 10 ps
       DQ[15:8]

1. For 16-bit single chip routed with point to point, CK_t/CK_c should be short as possible and much less than 500 ps. 230 ps
   is recommended.

Table 26. DDR4 delay matching example (Addr/Cmd/Ctrl/CK signals)

        Net name                    PCB delay (ps)                Pkg delay (ps)                      Comment

                                         167.2                         56.5          Routed on top layer, no via
        DRAM_A0
                                                     223.7                           Total Net Delay

                                         183.2                         42.2          Routed on top layer, no via
        DRAM_A1
                                                     225.4                           Total Net Delay

                                         181.1                         41.8          Vias are L1-> L3->L1
        DRAM_A2
                                                     222.9                           Total Net Delay

                                         202.7                         22.4          Vias are L1-> L3->L1
        DRAM_A3
                                                     225.1                           Total Net Delay

        DRAM_A4                          179.9                         43.1          Vias are L1-> L3->L1

                                              Table continues on the next page...

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Table 26. DDR4 delay matching example (Addr/Cmd/Ctrl/CK signals) (continued)

        Net name                  PCB delay (ps)               Pkg delay (ps)                      Comment

                                                   223.0                           Total Net Delay

                                        191.9                        32.0          Vias are L1-> L3->L1
        DRAM_A5
                                                   223.9                           Total Net Delay

                                        189.1                        33.8          Vias are L1-> L3->L1
        DRAM_A6
                                                   222.9                           Total Net Delay

                                        167.2                        54.8          Vias are L1-> L6->L1
        DRAM_A7
                                                   222.0                           Total Net Delay

                                        165.9                        59.7          Vias are L1-> L6->L1
        DRAM_A8
                                                   225.6                           Total Net Delay

                                        189.4                        35.8          Vias are L1-> L6->L1
        DRAM_A9
                                                   225.2                           Total Net Delay

                                        165.6                        59.5          Routed on top layer, no via
       DRAM_A10
                                                   225.1                           Total Net Delay

                                        193.7                        29.1          Vias are L1-> L3->L1
       DRAM_A11
                                                   222.8                           Total Net Delay

                                        185.8                        39.6          Vias are L1-> L6->L1
       DRAM_A12
                                                   225.4                           Total Net Delay

                                193.5                         31.9                 Routed on top layer, no via
       DRAM_A13
                                                   225.4                           Total Net Delay

                                188.4                         34.4                 Vias are L1-> L3->L1
       DRAM_BA0
                                                   222.8                           Total Net Delay

                                168.3                         53.4                 Vias are L1-> L3>L1
       DRAM_BA1
                                                   221.7                           Total Net Delay

                                183.8                         41.1                 Vias are L1-> L3>L1
       DRAM_BG0
                                                   224.9                           Total Net Delay

                                           Table continues on the next page...

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Table 26. DDR4 delay matching example (Addr/Cmd/Ctrl/CK signals) (continued)

        Net name                  PCB delay (ps)               Pkg delay (ps)                      Comment

                                183.7                         39.4                 Vias are L1-> L6>L1
      DRAM_CK_C
                                                   223.1                           Total Net Delay

                                184.5                         39.1                 Vias are L1-> L6>L1
       DRAM_CK_T
                                                   223.6                           Total Net Delay

                                176.2                         45.7                 Vias are L1-> L6-> L1
      DRAM_NACT
                                                   221.9                           Total Net Delay

                                186.3                         36.0                 Vias are L1-> L3>L1
     DRAM_NALERT
                                                   222.3                           Total Net Delay

                                183.1                         38.6                 Vias are L1-> L6-> L1
   DRAM_NCAS(A15)
                                                   221.7                           Total Net Delay

                                171.6                         51.2                 Vias are L1-> L3->L1
       DRAM_CKE
                                                   222.8                           Total Net Delay

                                186.9                         35.9                 Vias are L1-> L3->L1
       DRAM_NCS
                                                   222.8                           Total Net Delay

                                171.3                         51.2                 Routed on top layer, no via
      DRAM_NRAS
                                                   222.5                           Total Net Delay

                                186.5                         38.1                 Vias are L1-> L6>L1
     DRAM_NRESET
                                                   224.6                           Total Net Delay

                                179.0                         43.1                 Vias are L1-> L6>L1
    DRAM_NWE(A14)
                                                   222.1                           Total Net Delay

                                196.6                         26.5                 Vias are L1-> L3->L1
       DRAM_ODT
                                                   223.1                           Total Net Delay

                                193.3                         29.0                 Vias are L1-> L3->L1
     DRAM_PARITY
                                                   222.3                           Total Net Delay

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Table 27. DDR4 delay matching example (Byte0/Byte1 signals)

           Net Name               PCB Delay (ps)           Pkg Delay (ps)                         Comment

                                       137.8                     57.2           Vias are L1-> L3->L1
          DRAM_DMI0
                                                   195.0                        Total Net Delay

                                       136.6                     58.9           Vias are L1-> L6->L1
        DRAM_DQS0_N
                                                   195.5                        Total Net Delay

                                       135.7                     59.0           Vias are L1-> L6->L1
        DRAM_DQS0_P
                                                   194.7                        Total Net Delay

                                       148.5                     47.2           Vias are L1-> L3->L1
         DRAM_DQ00
                                                   195.7                        Total Net Delay

                                       152.7                     43.0           Vias are L1-> L3->L1
         DRAM_DQ01
                                                   195.7                        Total Net Delay

                                       140.6                     54.6           Vias are L1-> L3->L1
         DRAM_DQ02
                                                   195.2                        Total Net Delay

                                       143.5                     51.7           Vias are L1-> L3->L1
         DRAM_DQ03
                                                   195.2                        Total Net Delay

                                       135.6                     59.9           Vias are L1-> L3->L1
         DRAM_DQ04
                                                   195.5                        Total Net Delay

                                       136.1                     58.1           Vias are L1-> L3->L1
         DRAM_DQ05
                                                   194.2                        Total Net Delay

                                       130.9                     64.6           Vias are L1-> L3->L1
         DRAM_DQ06
                                                   195.5                        Total Net Delay

                                       143.4                     51.4           Vias are L1-> L3->L1
         DRAM_DQ07
                                                   194.8                        Total Net Delay

                                       106.3                     58.6           Routed on top layer, no via
          DRAM_DMI1
                                                   164.9                        Total Net Delay

        DRAM_DQS1_N                    115.9                     47.2           Routed on top layer, no via

                                          Table continues on the next page...

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